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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hugo believes that worthwhile things can't be _____.

2. What is the maximum sentence length Hugo advises having in a poem?

3. A suggestion Hugo makes is to end more than half the lines and more than two-thirds of the sentences on _____.

4. What color paper is, in Hugo's opinion, easy on the eyes?

5. Where has Hugo worked that he says had little hostility between creative writers and academics?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is acclaim considered by Hugo to be dangerous to the poet?

2. Why does Hugo say to take emotional possession of a few words?

3. What is the conclusion Hugo makes regarding the Ph.D. system in literature?

4. Why does Hugo say not to write with a pen?

5. Why does Hugo say that Cerignola has a bad reputation in Italy?

6. What is Hugo's definition of conservatism and how does it affect a poet's writing?

7. How is "grammarphobia" a problem in writing, according to the author?

8. Why is blank white paper not recommended for writing poetry by Hugo?

9. How does Auden express his disdain for competitiveness among writers?

10. What does Hugo see as the inherent flaw in the hiring of some writing teachers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Hugo's impression of Italy during World War II and Italy when he and his wife visit after the war. What has changed? How does he put closure on his war experience?

Essay Topic 2

What are Hugo's thoughts on having a stance in writing a poem? What examples does he give regarding stance and how does the presence or absence of a stance determine the poem's effectiveness?

Essay Topic 3

What are the advantages pointed out by Hugo of making up the rules as the poet goes along? What should making up rules do for the poet?

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